Long term persistence of introduced Amblyomma geoemydae tick population under indoor conditions in Austria.

An indoor terrarium population of Amblyomma geoemydae was established subsequent to the import of a single yellow-marginated box turtle Cuora flavomarginata. This indoor tick population revealed an unexpected resistance against de-ticking trials, with persistence between 2010 and 2015, when the ticks were successfully eliminated. Ticks were collected from the bodies and shells of turtles, as well as from terraria soil. Species diagnosis of ticks was carried out according to distinguishable morphological characters and supported by molecular analysis using DNA-barcoding. Introduced exotic ticks are potential vectors of pathogens and can have an impact on wildlife, domestic animals and the human population. This case emphasizes the need for sharp surveillance and control measures on imported reptiles.

The dependence of Hyalomma aegyptium on its tortoise host Testudo graeca in Algeria.

Hyalomma aegyptium (Linnaeus, 1758) (Ixodida: Ixodidae) has recently been confirmed as a carrier of numerous pathogenic, including zoonotic, agents. Four environmentally distinct regions of Algeria, located between the humid coastal zone and the arid Saharan Atlas range, were selected in order to compare differences in tick abundance among localities, and the correlations between tick abundance and host population characteristics and other environmental conditions. Sampling was carried out during May and early June in 2010-2012. A total of 1832 H. aegyptium were removed from 201 tortoises. Adult ticks accounted for 52% of the collection. In the pre-adult stages, larvae were dominant. Data on prevalence, intensity (mean ± standard deviation, range) and abundance of tick infestation were calculated for each locality. Locally, prevalences reached 100%. The sex ratio was biased in favour of males (4.2). Intensities of infestation differed significantly among the localities studied for all developmental stages of the tick. The intensity of infestation by adult ticks was positively correlated to the size of the tortoise and with tortoise population density in the habitat. However, findings for immature tick stages were independent of both variables. No significant correlations between infestation intensities and the climatic parameters tested were found. Immature ticks were observed to prefer the front parts of their tortoise hosts, whereas the majority of adults were attached to the rear parts.

Theileria, Babesia, and Anaplasma detected by PCR in ruminant herds at Bié Province, Angola.

Distribution of Anaplasma spp., Babesia spp., Theileria spp., and Ehrlichia ruminantium, was for the first time studied in Bié Province, central Angola. We examined 76 blood samples of cattle originated from seven farms, and 13 blood samples of goats from two farms employing molecular genetic tools (PCR). Most prevalent was A. ovis-infection in goats (100%) and A. marginale-infection in cattle (38% of examined animals, and six out of seven farms). B. bigemina-infection was detected in only one specimen at Andulo, whereas B. bovis was not detected in Bié. We did not detected T. parva, the causative agent of serious diseases in cattle; nevertheless, infection by T. velifera was quite frequent (14% of examined animals, and five out of seven farms). Causative agent of heartwater disease - E. ruminantium, was not detected. Taking into account short-term perspective of PCR methods in monitoring of epidemiological status in herds, the number of infected animals and distribution of detected pathogens should not be ignored.

Two new species of Eimeria (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from Asian geoemydid turtles Kachuga tentoria and Melanochelys trijuga (Testudines: Geoemydidae).

Coprological examination of ten Pink-ringed tent turtles Kachuga tentoria circumdata, recently imported from India, and three Burmese black turtles Melanochelys trijuga edeniana, imported from Myanmar, revealed the presence of two new species of Eimeria. Oocysts of Eimeria kachua n. sp. from K. t. circumdata are broadly oval to subspherical, 15.3 (13-18) x 13.9 (12-16) microm, with polar granule and subspherical oocyst residuum. Sporocyst elongatelly oval to spindle-shaped, 8.7 (7.5-10) x 4.9 (4-6) microm, with a knoblike Stieda body, covered with fine membranous cupola-like structures. Thin walled oocysts of Eimeria patta n. sp. from M. t. edeniana, have an irregular shape, influenced by the position of sporocysts, frequently with lobular irregularities, 12.6 (11-16) x 9.1 (7.5-12) microm. Sporocysts are oval to ellipsoidal, 5.8 (5-7) x 4.2 (3.5-5) microm.

Long-term occurrence of Hemolivia cf. mauritanica (Apicomplexa: Adeleina: Haemogregarinidae) in captive Testudo marginata (Reptilia: Testudinidae): evidence for cyclic merogony?

Blood smears from wild-caught, long-term captive tortoises, Testudo marginata, revealed the presence of gametocytes of a Hemolivia mauritanica-like hemogregarine in the erythrocytes of 72% tortoises examined. Significant parasitemia was also found in animals living several years in captivity. Experimentally infected tortoises showed no evidence of a decrease in parasitemia level more than 15 mo after infection. Morphologically, stages found in tortoises' erythrocytes were indistinguishable from those referred to by previous workers as H. mauritanica from Testudo graeca. Moreover, successful experimental transmission to Hyalomma aegyptium confirms the conspecificity with H. mauritanica. The occurrence of H. mauritanica gametocytes in tortoise living up to 8 yr in captivity is suggested to result from continuous, long-lasting cyclic merogony in tortoises' parenchymatous organs, which is an unknown phenomenon in the life cycle of Hemolivia spp.

Single-dose pharmacokinetics of a novel oral platinum cytostatic drug ([OC-6-43]-bis[acetato][1-adamantylamine]amminedichloroplatinum [IV]) in pigs.

The pharmacokinetics of total platinum (Pt) were investigated after a single oral dose of (OC-6-43-bis(acetato)(1-adamantylamine)amminedichloroplatinum (IV) (LA-12). A dose of 3 mg/kg (n = 3) and 30 mg/kg (n = 3) was given to two parallel groups of pigs (n = three each). Pt was measured in the blood, urine and feces by atomic absorption spectrometry. Blood was sampled at specified times until 240 h, urine was obtained through a catheter at 1-h intervals until 6 h, and feces were collected until 240 h after administration. LA-12 was rapidly absorbed, as indicated by a T(max) of total Pt within 0.5-1.5 h after administration. The mean (SEM) values for maximum plasma concentration (0.060 +/- 0.025 and 0.39 +/- 0.08 mg/l) and the area under the plasma concentration vs. time curve (12.6 +/- 5.6 and 36.3 +/- 2.0 mg.h/l) increased less than proportionally to the increase in the dose. The mean (SEM) Pt urinary excretion determined over a 6-h postdose period achieved only 1.9% and 0.8% of the administered doses, respectively. Within 2 h after dosing, the renal clearance of total Pt was approximately 2-fold higher than that of creatinine (CL(cr)). Thereafter, it steadily dropped and in the last collection interval (5-6 h postdose) its value was 50% less than CL(cr). Platinum recoveries in feces over 10 days after dosing reached 0.4% and 2.6% of the administered dose, respectively. This finding indicates that the extent of absorption of both doses was high. There were no changes in results of hematology and clinical biochemistry tests.

Leptoconops bezzii (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) parasitizing tortoises Testudo graeca (Testudines: Testudinidae) in mountain ranges of Lebanon and western Syria.

Biting midges of the genus Leptoconops, subgenus Leptoconops (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) were repeatedly found parasitizing on spur-thighed tortoises Testudo graeca in western Syria and Lebanon. Collected females were assigned to the species L. bezzii according to their morphological characteristics. Tortoises parasitized by midges were observed throughout the daytime, under mild temperatures, and slight winds, in Mediterranean or stony steppe habitats. Intensity of the infestations ranged from a few specimens up to thousands of midges per tortoise. Midges infested predominantly the tortoises' carapax, finding their approach to the capillaries in the seams between the keratinized scutes. The vector potential of ceratopogonids is discussed.

Lung cancer incidence in the Czech Republic: a time-trend study.

BACKGROUND: Analysis of cancer incidence trends is one of the prerequisites for cancer prevention. It is possible to set up priorities and assess current development of morbidity. METHODS: All lung cancer incidences in the Moravia region of the Czech Republic (4,000,000 inhabitants) in the years 1984-1998 have been assessed concerning incidence, anatomical subsites, stage, and morphology. Age and sex distribution have been taken into consideration. RESULTS: There has been a continuous increase in the incidence of lung cancer in females and a mild decrease in males. In both sexes the most affected anatomical subsites were upper and lower lobe of the lung. Stage III and IV predominated. Main morphological type was squamous cell carcinoma in males (39.3%) and in females (22.2%), the second most frequent type in males was small cell carcinoma (13.6%) and in females adenocarcinoma (21.8%). The highest incidence was observed in the age group of 55-75 in males and 60-80 in females. CONCLUSION: Lung cancer epidemiology and prevention is one of the top-priority health problems in the Czech Republic. The incidence is one of the highest in the world especially for males; in females it is continuously increasing. Primary prevention is available but difficult to implement, particularly non-smoking. Secondary prevention is not available due to lack of suitable screening tests and a short lead time.